Wall element and structure constructed therewith

ABSTRACT

Wall element for separating two areas situated on either side of a wall, wherein the wall element is made by extrusion from a composite material having a synthetic matrix and incorporated therein wood particles, such as wood fibers or other cellulose-containing particles, wherein the wall elements are panel-shaped and comprise a first main plate, a second main plate spaced therefrom and transverse plates for connecting both main plates to each other, wherein both main plates and the transverse plates define hollow spaces, wherein the wood particles comprise a high fraction of elongated wood particles, which elongated wood particles are predominantly oriented in the profile direction, wherein the wall element has first and second, opposite longitudinal edges extending in the profile direction, which longitudinal edges are provided with first and second coupling members, respectively, wherein the first coupling members define an accommodation recess space for a protrusion formed at a second longitudinal edge of another, similar wall element, wherein the accommodation recess space is defined by plate continuations of both main plates.

REFERENCE TO A RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation-in-part of PCT applicationPCT/NL2005/00198 filed Mar. 16, 2005 which is relied on and incorporatedherein by reference.

INTRODUCTION AND BACKGROUND

The invention relates to a wall element for use in constructingseparating walls, such as earth retaining walls, water-retaining walls,such as sheet pile walls or revetment walls, noise barrier walls, roomseparating walls, such as walls of buildings. In other words, walls forseparating substances or stopping physical phenomena.

There is a need for wall elements with which one or more of theabove-mentioned walls can be constructed fast and easy.

There is furthermore a need for wall elements that can be reliablypositioned and/or disposed, and for walls with a wood-like appearancefor replacing walls made of durable wood like oak or tropical hardwoodsfor applications like sea or shore line barriers.

There is furthermore a need for wall elements that are versatile in use.

There is furthermore a need for wall elements that have a highdurability in outdoor conditions, in particular very wet conditions.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

From one aspect the invention provides a wall element for separating twoareas situated on either side of a wall, wherein the wall element ismade by extrusion using available equipment from a composite materialhaving a synthetic matrix and incorporated therein wood particles, suchas wood fibers or other cellulose-containing particles, wherein the wallelements are panel-shaped and comprise a first main plate, a second mainplate spaced therefrom and transverse plates or ribs connecting bothmain plates to each other, wherein both main plates and the transverseplates define channels or chambers, wherein the wood particles comprisea fraction of elongated wood particles, which elongated wood particlesare predominantly oriented in profile direction, wherein the wallelement has first and second, opposite longitudinal edges extending inprofile direction, which longitudinal edges are provided with first andsecond coupling members, respectively, wherein the first couplingmembers define an accommodation space for a protrusion formed likesecond coupling members at the second longitudinal edge of another,adjoining similar wall element, wherein the accommodation space isdefined by plate continuations of both main plates.

Such wall elements have a wood-like appearance and can have sufficientstrength for various uses. They are easy to assemble into a wall.

The plastic-based composite material having a synthetic matrix andincorporated therein wood particles used for purposes of making the wallelements described herein is described in detail in U.S. Pat. No.6,929,841, granted Aug. 16, 2005, the disclosure of which is relied onand incorporated herein.

The wall elements according to the invention are strong and do not needto be filled with concrete or other substances in order to provide asufficiently strong wall. Instead, if so desired, they can be filledwith an insulating material, such as insulation foam, so that the wallelements acquire increased sound-insulating and/or heat-insulatingproperties. They can be directly connected or coupled to each other, sothat with few actions extended walls can be made without using couplingprofiles. A further advantage is that the presence of wood fibersprovides the wall or the building with a finished wood-like appearance,as a result of which covering layers do not need to be provided. Theparticles are embedded in the synthetic material and do not protrudefrom the surface. Should a rough surface or a decorated surface bewanted, however, then this may optionally be achieved by brushing orembossing. Many types of surface modifications are possible to give thepanels any type of desired appearance.

Moreover, the presence of wood fibers will result in a natural grayingof the surface of the profiles when exposed to outdoor conditions. Thewall elements of the invention can also be painted with any kind ofpaint due to the high content of wood fiber and low moisture absorptionof the composite material resulting in an extremely good adhesion andlong lasting paint durability.

A wall constructed with hollow profiles according to the invention has aminimum number of joints.

Preferably both plate continuations extend over a same distance.

Preferably per side the main plates and plate continuations have a samethickness. Both main plates may also have a same thickness. Furthermore,both plate continuations may have a same thickness.

In one embodiment the protrusion ends in a transverse wall that isparallel to the other transverse walls.

Preferably the length of the wall element in profile direction is largerthan the width of the wall element.

In one embodiment the thickness of the main plates and the transversewalls is the same.

In order to give room for expansions, particularly as a result ofmoisture absorption, the first and second coupling members may beprovided with a dilatation provision or expansion joints. Thus, watertight constructions can be made by assembling a plurality of the wallelements which will undergo some moisture absorption and swell, therebyforming a tight connection between adjacent elements.

In one embodiment the first and second coupling members can be broughtinto operative connection with each other by sliding them into eachother in profile direction. The wall elements may then, for instance, bevibrated in a vertical profile direction into a substrate, such asearth.

In an alternative or additional embodiment the first and second couplingmembers can be brought into operative connection with each other bysliding them into each other transverse to the profile direction,parallel to the main plates.

In a constructively simple way, the first coupling means are provided onprojections that extend from the first end edge and that may be providedwith hooks and the second coupling means are provided in areas that arerecessed from the second end edge with grooves into which the hooks mayengage by a snapping action.

Preferably the first and second end edge are provided with a transverseplate, so that extra stability is provided to the first and secondcoupling means and after coupling a double transverse plate is presentat that location.

The first and second coupling means can advantageously be formed withthe material used for the construction elements in order to form asnap-together coupling.

The wall element may comprise several parallel hollow chambers orchannels.

The first and second edges are preferably formed so that adjacent panelswill fit into each other.

The first edge may form a narrowed protrusion and the second edge anaccommodation space for the first edge of an adjacent similar wallelement, wherein the recess is disposed in the second edge.

The wall element can be stackable with similar wall elements having thecorresponding main plates in at least almost the same plane. It is, forinstance, possible to place the wall elements lying horizontally ontoeach other in order to form a separating wall.

The wall elements of the invention are grease resistant and grease spotsare easily removed. The panels also have good scratch resistance sincethey are far more hard than natural wood and especially WPC composites.The panels of the present invention can be pressure washed whereasnatural wood can be heavily damaged.

In an embodiment suitable for placement in pitched roofs, the first mainplate can be formed with crests and valleys, preferably corrugated inshape, due to which the water discharging function is enhanced andlocations for attachment means such as bolts are provided that aresituated relatively high on the crest and free from water.

In a further embodiment of the construction system according to theinvention, the first main plate and the second main plate form separateparts that can be coupled to each other. The first and second main platecan then be transported in mutually offset condition, wherein the widthor height is temporarily reduced, so that less air is transported alongor in other words per volume unit (TEU container) more constructionelements can be transported.

Preferably the transverse plates are divided into a first part that isformed as a one piece unit with the first main plate and a second partthat is formed as a one piece unit with the second main plate. Thetransverse parts prevent mutual shifting in one direction and thetransverse parts allow for forming coupling means for coupling both mainplates.

It is preferred here that the first and second main plates are coupledto each other by means of a rigid coupling. Such rigid couplings caneasily be formed with the said wood composite material.

In another aspect, the invention provides a construction element forwalls, such as upright walls, ceilings or roofs of buildings, made byextrusion from a composite material having a synthetic matrix andincorporated therein wood particles, such as wood fibers or othercellulose-containing particles, wherein the construction elements arepanel-shaped and comprise a first main plate, a second main plate spacedtherefrom and transverse plates or ribs connecting both main plates toeach other, wherein both main plates and the transverse plates definehollow spaces therebetween, wherein the wood fibers are predominantlyoriented in the profile direction, wherein the first main plate and thesecond main plate form separate parts that can be coupled to each other.

Preferably the transverse plates are then divided again into a firstpart that is formed as a one piece unit with the first main plate and asecond part that is formed as a one piece unit with the second mainplate, wherein preferably both transverse plate sections are providedwith third and fourth coupling members, respectively, for mutualcoupling.

In a further aspect the invention provides an earth or water-retaininghead wall structure constructed with wall elements according to theinvention. The profile direction can then advantageously be vertical.Due to the slight swelling of the composite material under the influenceof moisture uptake by the wood fibers, the connections between adjacentprofiles will become water tight.

As the wall panel is constructed with two cover plates at a relativelylarge distance from each other, high values are achieved for the momentof inertia against bending and the section modulus for loading inbending. In combination with the high elasticity modulus and the highstrength of the material itself, this results in profiles having a highload-bearing capacity and a high resistance against deformation.Moreover, as a result, the profiles have a large degree of elasticstability which is of importance when long profile lengths are used. Nobuckling or torsion will therefore occur when using said profiles. Thisis of particular importance when vibrating long profiles into theground. Due to the high rigidity of the profiles, vibrations from thehammer type vibrator are properly transmitted to the lower end of thewall panel, in order to be as effective as possible when having thelower end of the wall panel penetrate into the ground. The vibrationenergy here only deforms the wall panel to a slight degree.

Advantageous here is that due to the rectilinear chamber structure whichcan be generally rectangular in shape, despite the fact that the wallpanels are made of the said thermoplastic composite with wood particles,a high moment of inertia is achieved, due to which lateral forces canalso be absorbed well.

Several wall panels can be joined together beforehand, for instancethree pieces in a row, and then be jointly vibrated in for installation.

After a while an inclined position may arise when the plates arevibrated in for making revetments. According to the invention this canbe counteracted by bevelling off a corner at the lower end of a wallpanel intended to be vibrated into position, which corner faces awayfrom the edge that is slid in into the wall panel already placed, sothat as a result during vibrating a horizontal force oriented towardsthe wall panels already placed is exerted on the wall panel that isbeing vibrated into position.

Preferably a cap covers the upper side of the wall elements, wherein thecap is preferably U-shaped. The cap can also be made by extrusion fromsaid composite material having a synthetic matrix and wood particles,such as wood fibers or other cellulose-containing particles,incorporated therein.

In case the hollow profiles are used partly in water that can freezeduring cold periods, foam profiles can be used to prevent damage byexpansion due to freezing of the water inside the hollow profiles. Byinserting foam profiles, particularly made of closed cell syntheticfoamed material, into the hollow profiles at the locations where thewater may freeze during cold periods, the foam can absorb the expansionof the water due to freezing.

In a further aspect the invention provides a noise barrier structureconstructed from wall elements according to the invention. The wallelements form an effective noise-reflecting surface. In that applicationthe walls elements for ease of placement can be horizontally fitted orfixed in the profile direction.

Columns can be placed between a series of wall elements in a lengthwisedirection. The columns may form accommodation spaces for accommodationof the longitudinal ends of the wall elements. In the accommodationspaces, between the column in question and the longitudinal end of thewall elements, sealing elements can be placed, which prevents noiseleakages. The sealing elements can be formed by an element ofclosed-cell synthetic foamed material.

In an aesthetic embodiment the columns are made of the same material asthe wall elements so as to have a uniform appearance.

In case noise absorption is desired, the main plate situated at theretaining side may be provided with through-holes. The chambers can thenbe filled with sound-insulating or sound-muffling material, for instancemineral wool or other sound-deadening material.

Preferably the content of wood particles or cellulose-containingparticles is more than 50% by weight, preferably 70% by weight or more,more preferably between 70 and 85% of wood by weight, due to which ahigh strength is achieved, also at the location of the coupling means,and the woody nature of the product is enhanced thereby.

The synthetic material used to form the synthetic matrix preferably is athermoplastic synthetic resin material particularly a polyolefin,preferably polypropylene or polyethylene, or PVC or polycarbonate. Avariety of such synthetic resins are available for that purpose.

In a further development, the wall element according to the inventioncan be provided with continuous reinforcement elements extruded along inthe wall element, which reinforcement elements are incorporated in thecomposite material, preferably in the main plates. Such reinforcementelements can be rod, cable, wire, strip or other flat profile. Thereinforcing elements can be made of steel, carbon, glass fibers, hemp,as well as other material used for such purposes.

The invention furthermore provides profiles for a building with apitched roof. Such a roof is relatively rigid and easy to place.

The roof may have a pitched roof shape, wherein the upper edges of theroof elements meeting at the ridge of the roof are oriented transverseto the main plates and in between them define a discharge opening thatis in open connection with the hollow chambers of the profile. The wallelements having an undulatory corrugated or comparable first main plateare advantageous, as in case of a first main plate that is turned to theoutside the ridge can be covered with a straight ridge strip and then asif of its own accord ridge ventilation passages leading to the outsidehave been formed between the ridge strip and the first main plate. Theventilation achieved in that way is suitable for very hot areas, whereinthe roof surface can be strongly heated up by the sun during the day.This is advantageous when the eaves are kept open, that means accessibleto air that will flow upward through the wall elements in the roof forcooling it down and is able to leave there, in both roof planes. Theridge strip can be kept simple here. Therefore, the present inventioncan produce air cooled roof elements due to the fact that air in theopen channels heated by the sun will create an upward draft of airthereby pulling in cooler air from the lower end of the profile paneland releasing hot air at the top ridge. On the other hand in cold areasthe cavities in the roof profiles can be used for partially or fullyfilling them with foam or in another way, as a result of which the roofsurface is provided with larger heat insulation capability.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The invention will be elucidated on the basis of an exemplary embodimentshown in the attached drawings, in which:

FIGS. 1A and 1B show end views of an embodiment of a wall panel wallelement according to the invention, in solitary condition and inmutually joined condition, respectively;

FIG. 1C shows the wall panel of FIGS. 1A,B having individualreinforcement elements embedded in the material of the panel;

FIGS. 2A and 2B show a second embodiment of a panel/wall elementaccording to the invention in solitary condition and in mutually joinedcondition, respectively;

FIG. 3 shows a schematic, diagonal front view of a wall composed from aplurality of wall elements according to the invention;

FIG. 3A shows a diagonal front view of the wall of FIG. 3, in anarrangement as a shore/bank, head wall or sea wall and provided with acap;

FIG. 3B shows a cross-section of a cap of the arrangement according toFIG. 3A;

FIG. 3C shows an alternative embodiment of a wall in cross sectionconstructed with wall elements according to the invention having anotherembodiment of a cap;

FIG. 3D is a schematic representation of the arrangement with theshore/bank head wall according to FIG. 3A in cross-section;

FIG. 3E is a cross-section schematic view showing details of FIG. 3D;

FIG. 4 shows a schematic arrangement of a wall composed of a pluralityof wall elements according to the invention, as a noise barrier;

FIGS. 4A-C show a front view, a horizontal cross-section and a verticalcross-section, respectively, of the wall of FIG. 4;

FIG. 4D shows a wall panel according to the invention suitable forincorporation in noise barrier structures;

FIGS. 5A and 5B show a further embodiment of a panel according to theinvention, without and with, respectively, individual reinforcementelements embedded in the material of the panel;

FIG. 6A shows a third embodiment of a wall panel according to theinvention consisting of two unassembled parts; and

FIG. 6B shows an alternative embodiment of parts similar to theunassembled panel to form an assembled panel.

The panel 1′ in FIG. 1A is made by extrusion from a composite of athermoplastic synthetic material, particularly polyolefin, such aspolyethylene or polypropylene, or PVC or polycarbonate. The preferredmaterial is polypropylene. In the polypropylene matrix wood particlescomprising wood fibers or other cellulose-containing particles areembedded. The content of wood particles is more than 50% by weight,preferably more than 70% by weight, more preferably between 70-80% byweight, and the content of polypropylene is complementary thereto,preferably 20-30% by weight. A particularly preferred ratio isapproximately 72/28% by weight. Such a material is available from theapplicant under the trademark TECH-WOOD® and has proven its strength,rigidity and durability. The material has a wood-like appearance andafter extrusion already has a smooth surface. The material has aE-modulus of at least 4000 MPa, preferably 4000-8000 MPa. FIG. 1B showstwo panels of the type shown in FIG. 1A in assembled condition.

Further increase of the constructional strength and rigidity of thepanel can be achieved when continuous reinforcement elements areextruded along in the panel for accommodation in the composite material,extending in the direction of extrusion, as seen in FIG. 1C. TheE-modulus can then be considerably higher, between 6000-12000 MPa.

FIG. 1C shows the panel 1′ of FIG. 1A with continuous reinforcementelements 3 a incorporated therein for increasing the rigidity and thestrength.

The wall element 1′ shown in the FIGS. 1A and 1B is made of thethermoplastic-wood particle material described herein above. The methodof manufacturing has been described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,929,841. In thiscase, reinforcement elements can also be incorporated therein, see FIG.1C.

At a first traverse edge 5′, the wall element 1′ of FIGS. 1A and 1B isprovided with a recess R of a depth for instance of 24 mm, defined bytransverse edge 5′ and by extensions 10′ of the main plates 2′, 3′. Thethickness of the wall continuations 10′ and the main plates 2′, 3′ isusually the same, for instance 7 mm. The thickness of the transverseedges 5′, 6′ and 4′ is typically the same, and preferably also the sameas the main plates 2′ and 3′. The main plates 2′, 3′ and the transverseend 4′ and the transverse edges or ribs 6′, 5′ enclose generallyrectilinearly shaped hollow chambers 40′. The chambers are elongated inthe direction perpendicular to the plane of drawing: the largest lengthof the wall element 1′ is in the direction transverse to the end surfaceindicated, for instance, several meters. The effective width is forinstance 250 mm and the depth 76 mm.

The second edge of the panel 1′ with transverse end 4′ forms aprotrusion of for instance 24 mm that may be fittingly accommodated inthe accommodation recess space R defined by the wall continuations 10′,as can be seen in FIG. 1B.

In the wall parts 8′ parallel to the main plates 2′, 3′ raised portions9′ have been disposed at the outside surface of the panel and aredimensioned in order to leave slits 60 a, 60 b between two adjacent wallpanels 1′ when assembled, in order to thus provide room for expansionscaused by, for instance, moisture absorption in the wall panels 1′.

The wall panel 1″ in the FIGS. 2A and 2B for a large part corresponds towall panel 1′ of FIGS. 1A,B wherein the thickness of the transversewalls 4″, 5″, 6″, at least in the center area thereof, is slightlysmaller (e.g. 6 mm) than the thickness of the main plates 2″ and 3″.Furthermore, the panel projections 9″ are provided on the outside of thetransverse end wall 4″, for abutment against the outside of thetransverse wall 5″ of the adjacent wall panel 1″ when assembled together(see FIG. 2B). The wall panel 1″ can be made similarly, of the samematerial as wall panel 1′.

In case the wall panels 1′ are used for a noise barrier a resilientsound-sealing strip 61 can be disposed between the projections 9″ byclamping in order to close off the slit 60 a thereby preventing airleakages and thus noise leakages.

Depending upon the intended use, the wall panels 1′ and 1″ can also bejoined by approaching in a direction transverse to the direction of thechambers or according to a direction parallel to those of the chambers,depending on what the best approach is for the desired use.

For instance, a wall 90 as shown in FIG. 3 can be created, wherein theprofile direction is vertical. This may be of particular use in noisebarriers, earth retaining walls and water retaining walls. A bank/shorecovering wall of a water body, such as a lake, fresh water or sea or seachannel or canal, will be discussed below by way of example, wherein aplurality of the wall panels 1; etc., have to be driven into the groundfar below the water line.

The placed wall elements 1′ may, at the top, be covered by a cap, asshown in FIG. 3A, where U-shaped caps 70 (FIG. 3B), of wood compositematerial comparable to that of which the wall panel 1′ has been made,also obtained by extrusion, are placed over the upper end of the wallpanels 1′. The legs of the U-profile may be provided with pilot edges.The inner surface of the upper wall may be provided with spacing ribs 71to prevent the cap from resting with its rounded corners inside on thesawn edges of the wall profiles.

In FIG. 3C an alternative cap is shown, again made by extrusion of thesame material, albeit in three parts, screwed together in order to forma cap 80, as shown.

In the FIGS. 3A and 3D the wall of FIG. 3A is shown in an arrangementfunctioning as a bank/shore wall or head wall, wherein the bank/shorewall is kept vertical by means of a purlin 42, an anchor rod 43, and ananchor plate 44, see FIG. 3D. In the common parlance, anchor rod andanchor plates are called “dead man tie back”. In that case, water mayalso penetrate the chamber 40 of the wall element 1′. When there isquestion of frost conditions the water in the chamber 40 may alsofreeze, and the chamber walls might get damaged by ice expansion.According to the invention, this is prevented by providing the chamber40 at the location of the freezing area of the water with a filling, asa result of which the volume of water present can expand during freezingwithout building up material stresses that can cause damage. Preferablythe filling is compressible, in order to buffer the expansion of theremaining water at that location, and thus to safeguard the walls of thechamber from too high expansion forces. A suitable filling material is aclosed-cell synthetic foam, schematically shown in detail in FIG. 3E, inthe form of polyethylene foam tube 41 having closed cells, of which theend can be turned and inserted into the chambers 40 in order to properlyremain in place.

The wall elements according to the invention can also be used for noiseabsorption, see FIGS. 4 and 4A. The wood-like appearance of the wallpanels in this embodiment can ensure a proper fit with the surroundings.The mass of the wall panels in this case is preferably at least 10 kg/m²or more, which can easily be achieved. Possible air leakage due to theconnections between the wall panels that cause noise leakages can beprevented by a snug fit of the groove/tongue and optionally by sealingmaterial, preferably strip-shaped.

In FIG. 4 an arrangement is shown with a noise barrier wall 90′assembled from a plurality of wall elements 1′ according to theinvention. The wall 90′ is placed between the building X and motorway Yand reflects the noise of the traffic. The wall 90′ in FIG. 4A is builtup from a number of columns 91 having an H-shape. The columns 91 can bemade of the same material as the wall elements 1′. Alternatively theycan be made of steel. The columns 91 are fixed on concrete pedestalfootings that are not further shown. Wall elements 1′ are stackedhorizontally (see FIGS. 4A and 4C) between the columns 91, wherein thedirection of the coupling is vertical. The longitudinal ends of the wallelements 1′ are in this case accommodated in the accommodation spacesdefined by the H-profiles. In said accommodation spaces, tubes or hollowor round or square foamed elements with a closed cell structure 92 suchas polyethylene foam with closed cells, comparable to pipes 40 of FIG.3E, are placed, with which noise leakages can be prevented. The tubes orhollow, round or square foamed elements pressed between the ends of thewall elements 1′ and the H-profiles 91′ (See FIG. 4B), ensure permanentsealing due to their elasticity and are protected from UV radiation bythe legs of the H-profiles. Due to their resilience, the foam tubes orhollow, round or square foamed elements 92 also ensure that an expansionprovision is provided for the wall elements when they expand in theirlongitudinal direction due to gradual absorption of moisture.

Particularly for noise absorption, it may be advantageous to provide thenoise barrier side of the wall panels, see wall panel 201 in FIG. 4D,with holes 241 connecting with the chambers 240. The holes form at least15% of the overall surface at that side. The chambers 240 may functionas sound muffling casing. Sound-absorbing material 242, such as mineralwool is placed in the chambers.

FIG. 5A shows a wall panel 31 that is particularly suitable for use asroof element for pitched roofs. In the example the first main plate 32is formed undulatory or corrugated, but optionally can be a zig-zagshape or sheet pile wall shape. The first main plate 32 is intended tobe situated at the outside or exterior of the roof, and the second mainplate 33, which is straight, at the base and adjacent sub-roofstructure. The main plates 32 and 33 are connected to each other bymeans of transverse walls or ribs 34, 35 and 36, which also define therectilinear spaces 41 therebetween.

At its end edges, the panel 31 is provided with accommodation spaces 39,42 and 43, respectively. The accommodation space 39 is a recess and islimited by confining edge 37 at one side, which confining edge 37 fitsinto the notch space 42 of an adjacent panel (not shown), whereinconfining edge 44 of the adjacent panel is able to engage behind andinterlock with confining edge 37. In the same way, confining edge 38fits in the space 43 of the adjacent panel. The confinement connectioncan be realized by sliding in two panels 31 along each other in theprofile direction to accomplish a mating engagement of two adjacentpanels.

Sliding in the longitudinal direction is advantageous when arranging aroof consisting of panels 31, as after placing a first panel 31 in adesired location the next panel can simply be slid from the bottom upwhile coupling the end edges that are facing each other.

The valleys in the main plate 32 may be intended for water discharge.Attachment means may be passed through at the location of the crests(not shown), in order to remain free of discharged water. It is observedthat the transverse walls 36 are situated offset with respect to thecrests of the main plate 32, in order to offer room to the fasteningbolts passed through the crests.

The main plate 33 is level so that mounting to the supporting parts ofthe roof structure is easy.

In FIG. 5B the panel 31 of FIG. 5A is shown with continuousreinforcement elements 33 a accommodated therein, in order to increasethe rigidity and strength.

The panels according to the invention may, depending on the intendeduse, for the sake of efficiency of transport also consist of two parts,as shown in the FIGS. 6A and 6B. At the main plate 312 transverse wallmembers 314 b, 315 b and 316 b are formed that end in snap accommodationspaces 318. The main plate 313 for mating engagement with plate 312 isformed with transverse wall members 314 a, 316 a and 315 a and end insnap protrusions 317. The transverse wall member 314 a and thetransverse wall member 315 a at the location of 319 are offset to theinside for letting the transverse wall members 314 a, 314 b, 315 a and315 b, become substantially aligned after connecting both panel membersby insertion of the snap protrusions 317 in the snap spaces 318.

As can be seen in FIG. 6A the main plate 312 can be supported offset onmain plate 313, so that transport height hi is much smaller than theheight in mounted assembled condition, namely h2+h3. Thus, theunassembled panel member can be transported efficiently by savingloading and storage space.

The dimensions h2 and h3, and thus h1, may be varied as desired, shownin FIG. 6B with h4 and H. Comparable parts have comparable referencenumbers, increased by 10. For instance, a h1 and h4 of 40 and 80 cmrespectively may be provided and a height of h3 and h5 of 40 and 80 cm,wherein panel thicknesses of 80, 120 and 160 cm, respectively, can bemade.

The snap connection such as between protrusions 317 and accommodationspaces 318 is formed such that there is question of an at least almostrigid constraint. After joining together by snapping, which is easy todo at the building site without using tools, an assembled panel isobtained which, as regards strength, can be compared with panel 1′, yetwhich due to the possibility of transport in the arrangement as shown inFIG. 6A requires less transport volume.

Further variations and modifications of the foregoing will be apparentto those skilled in the art and are intended to be encompassed by theclaims appended hereto.

1. Wall element wherein the wall element is made from a compositematerial having a synthetic matrix and incorporated therein woodparticles, wherein the wall element is panel-shaped and comprises afirst main plate, a second main plate spaced therefrom and a pluralityof transverse plates connecting both first and second main plates toeach other, wherein both main plates and the transverse plates definehollow spaces, wherein said first and second plates have a majordimension and a minor dimension, said major dimension being a profiledirection, wherein the wood particles comprise a fraction of elongatedwood particles, which elongated wood particles are predominantlyoriented in the profile direction, wherein the wall element has firstand second opposite longitudinal edges extending in profile direction,which longitudinal edges are provided with a first and second couplingmember, respectively, wherein the first coupling member defines anaccommodation recess space for receiving a protrusion formed on a secondcoupling member at a second longitudinal edge of another wall elementwhen assembled therewith, wherein the accommodation recess space isdefined by plate continuations of each first main plate and second mainplate.
 2. Wall element according to claim 1, wherein each first andsecond plate continuations extend over the same distance.
 3. Wallelement according to claim 2, wherein the first and second the mainplates and plate continuations have the same thickness.
 4. Wall elementaccording to claim 1, wherein each first and second main plates have thesame thickness.
 5. Wall element according to claim 1, wherein each firstand second plate continuations have the same thickness.
 6. Wall elementaccording to claim 1, wherein a protrusion extends from an endtransverse wall opposite to said accommodation recess space.
 7. Wallelement according to claim 1, wherein the length of the wall element inprofile direction is larger than the width of the wall element.
 8. Wallelement according to claim 1, wherein the thickness of the first andsecond main plates and the transverse walls is the same.
 9. Wall elementaccording to claim 1, wherein the first and second coupling members areprovided with an expansion joint.
 10. Wall element according to claim 1,wherein the first coupling member can be brought into mating operativeconnection with a second coupling member of an adjacent wall elementwhen assembled by sliding said first coupling member into said secondcoupling member of an adjacent similar wall element.
 11. Wall elementaccording to claim 1, further comprising continuous reinforcementelements incorporated with the composite material.
 12. Wall elementaccording to claim 1, which has been surface treated by brushing orembossing to provide enhanced wood-like appearance.
 13. Wall elementaccording to claim 1, which has been brushed to obtain enhanced adhesionfor water-based paints.
 14. Wall element according to claim 1, whereinthe first coupling member can be brought into operative connection witha second coupling member by sliding said first coupling membertransverse to the profile direction, parallel to the first and secondmain plates.
 15. Wall element having a major dimension and a minordimension made from a composite material having a synthetic matrix andincorporated therein wood particles, wherein the wall elements arepanel-shaped and comprise a first main plate, a second main plate and aplurality of transverse plates for connecting both first and second mainplates to each other, wherein said first and second main plates and thetransverse plates when assembled define hollow spaces therebetween,wherein the wood particles of the composite comprise a fraction ofelongated wood particles, which elongated wood particles arepredominantly oriented in a profile direction, wherein the wall elementis provided with first and second end edges extending substantially in aprofile direction conforming to said major dimension, which end edgesare provided with first and second cooperating coupling means,respectively.
 16. Wall element according to claim 15, wherein the firstcoupling means are provided with projections having hooks that extendfrom the first end edge and the second coupling means are provided withgrooves in recessed areas of the second end edge.
 17. Wall elementaccording to claim 15, wherein the first and second end edge areprovided with a transverse plate.
 18. Wall element according to claim15, wherein the first and second coupling means are formed for forming asnap coupling.
 19. Wall element according to claim 15, wherein thetransverse walls or transverse plates are provided with openings forpassing a tensioning element.
 20. Wall element according to claim 15,provided with recesses at the first and/or second longitudinal edges,near the longitudinal ends of the wall element.
 21. Wall elementaccording to claim 15, wherein the height of the recess at least almostcorresponds to half the height of the wall element.
 22. Wall elementaccording to claim 21, wherein the wall element comprises severalparallel hollow chambers.
 23. Wall element according to claim 21,wherein the first and second edges are formed for mutually fitting ineach other.
 24. Wall element according to claim 21, wherein the firstedge forms a narrowed protrusion and the second edge an accommodationspace for a first edge of an adjacent second similar wall element whenassembled with said wall element, wherein the recess is arranged in thesecond edge.
 25. Wall element for partitions, retaining walls andbarrages, made by extrusion from a composite material having a syntheticmatrix and incorporated therein wood particles, such as wood fibers orother cellulose-containing particles, wherein the wall elements arepanel-shaped and comprise a first main plate, a second main plate spacedtherefrom and transverse plates connecting both main plates to eachother, wherein both main plates and the transverse plates define one ormore hollow spaces, wherein the wood particles comprise a fraction ofelongated wood particles, which elongated wood particles arepredominantly oriented in profile direction, wherein the wall element isprovided with first and second end edges extending substantially inprofile direction, wherein the first and second edges are formed formutually fitting into each other.
 26. Wall element according to claim25, wherein the first edge forms a narrowed protrusion and the secondedge an accommodation space for the first edge of an adjacent similarwall element.
 27. Wall element according to claim 26, stackable withsimilar wall elements having the corresponding main plates in at leastalmost the same plane.
 28. Wall element according to claim 27, whereinthe first main plate and the second main plate form separate parts thatcan be coupled to each other, wherein the transverse plates are dividedinto a first portion that is formed as a one piece unit with the firstmain plate and a second portion that is formed as a one piece unit withthe second main plate.
 29. Wall element according to claim 28, whereinthe first and second main plates are coupled to each other by means of arigid coupling.
 30. Wall element according to claim 1 for a roof,wherein the first main plate is formed with crests and valleys in acorrugated manner.
 31. Wall element for walls, such as head walls,ceilings or roofs of buildings and noise barriers, made by extrusionfrom a composite material having a synthetic matrix and incorporatedtherein wood particles, such as wood fibers or othercellulose-containing particles, wherein the wall elements arepanel-shaped and comprise a first main plate, a second main plate spacedtherefrom and transverse plates connecting both main plates to eachother, wherein both main plates and the transverse plates define hollowspaces, wherein the wood particles are predominantly oriented in profiledirection, wherein the first main plate and the second main plate formseparate parts that can be coupled to each other.
 32. Wall elementaccording to claim 31, wherein the transverse plates are divided into afirst part that is formed as a one piece unit with the first main plateand a second part that is formed as a one piece unit with the secondmain plate, wherein preferably both transverse plate sections coupling.33. Wall element according to claim 31, wherein the first and secondmain plates are coupled to each other by means of a rigid coupling. 34.Wall element according to claim 1, wherein the content of wood particlesis between 50 and 85% by weight.
 35. Wall element according to claim 1,wherein the synthetic material is a thermoplastic synthetic resinmaterial.
 36. Wall element according to claim 1, wherein thethermoplastic synthetic material is a polyolefin, PVC or polycarbonate.37. Wall element according to claim 36, wherein the synthetic materialis polypropylene or polyethylene.
 38. Wall element according to claim37, wherein the hollow sections are filled with tubular foam elements.39. Building having a pitched roof constructed with wall elementsaccording to claim
 1. 40. Building according to claim 39, wherein theroof has a pitched shape, and wherein the upper edges of wall elementsmeeting at the ridge of the roof are oriented transverse to the mainplates and in between them define a discharge opening that is in openconnection with the hollow spaces.
 41. Building according to claim 40,wherein the discharge opening is upwardly covered by a ridge strip. 42.Earth or water-retaining structure constructed with wall elementsaccording to claim
 1. 43. Earth or water-retaining structure accordingto claim 42, wherein the upper side of the wall elements is covered by acap, wherein the cap is U-shaped.
 44. Noise barrier structureconstructed with wall elements according to claim 1.